The fire department said an increase in popularity and complaints by locals baffled by booms prompted them to look into the dangers of explosive targets.

"It was designed to be used in sporting events for people using long range shots, so they can actually see if they can hit the target," Binam said.

Firefighters fear an growing number of people are using them not for target practice, but for show -- even uploading their explosive exploits online.

Binam said across the nation, mixing in too much of the explosive and shooting at a closer range than required has led to the loss of limbs.

"It's usually loss of a hand, there was a girl that stepped on it and had a foot injury," Binam said. "If you start using it in a way that's not intended to be used, you're putting yourself at risk and other people at risk."

A statement from the fire department said officials will have a zero tolerance policy this holiday for anyone using the targets illegally. They stressed the ordinance making the discharge of a firearm illegal within city limits, and said detonating the target any other way could violate state and federal laws on explosive, which could bring felony charges.

"Once you start changing what it's used for, if you start putting in containers it's not designed for, you start looking at an improvised explosive device which is a crime," Binam.